Q: What is priority registration?
A: Schools that opt for priority registration will have their school deposits waived.

Q: What are the registration deadlines?
A: Priority registration ends on June 21st, 2012. Regular registration ends on September 14th, 2012. Late registration ends on October 1st, 2012. More information on registration deadlines and fees can be found on the Registration pages of our website, and further inquiries regarding registration can be sent to vumunexternal@gmail.com.

Q: What is the refund policy?
A: Schools that cancel their registration after September 14th will be returned 75% of their conference fees. Schools that cancel their registration after October 1st will be returned 50% of their conference fees. No refund will be provided for schools that cancel after October 21st. Further inquiries regarding refunds can be sent to vumunexternal@gmail.com.

Q: What is the VUMUN IX cancellation policy?
A: After October 21, 2012, there is no refund granted to a school who is no longer able to attend VUMUN IX. If there is any need to cancel conference attendance or to make changes to the number of delegates, please contact the USG External as soon as possible at vumunexternal@gmail.com.

Q: What are the rules & regulations of the conference and how are they enforced?
A: The rules and regulations of the conference are outlined in the student conduct form that we require all delegates to sign prior to attending this conference. Any questions regarding the rules or regulations of VUMUN IX ought to be directed to the Undersecretary General of External Affairs. The USG External will work with the faculty advisors to ensure that the conference rules are observed by the delegates in attendance.

Q: What is the VUMUN IX dress code?
A: The VUMUN IX dress code strictly adheres to Western business attire. We ask that all delegates in attendance respect Western business guidelines and dress conservatively as this is a weekend for academic debate.

Q: Are schools allowed to pick their own countries?
A: When registering for the conference, schools have the option of requesting up to six different countries.

Q: What is a position paper?
A: Position papers are 1-2 page statements written by delegates explaining their country's stance on a particular topic. One paper must be written for each topic covered in your committee unless otherwise noted in your background guide. Position papers are due October 21, 2012. Schools will receive information closer to the conference on how to submit the papers.

Q: How should students research for their position papers?
A: Research links can be found on the Delegate Resources page of the website. We suggest that delegates begin by researching general information on their countries and then look for specific information regarding committee topics. Helpful resources could be news articles and past UN resolutions, and delegates should look for country stances and on the committee topics and see how their topics have affected their assigned country. Delegates are encouraged to be comfortable with their committee topics and bloc positions. Whether in a General Assembly committee or Crisis committee, delegates must do research in order to productively participate in committee sessions. A strong understanding of one's country or character's policies will only contribute to having a more positive experience at VUMUN IX!

Q: How can students contact their Chair or Undersecretary General before the conference?
A: Students can find contact information for most of the Secretariat on the homepage of the VUMUN IX website. Chairs have listed their contact information in their respective committee's background guides.

Q: What should students bring to the conference?
A: We encourage students to bring a folder or binder of printed research done prior to the conference. VUMUN prohibits the use of computers in committee, thus the easiest way to access information will be to have printed copies. Delegates should also bring any personal items they may need for the weekend.

Q: Are pre-written resolutions allowed at VUMUN IX?
A: Pre-written resolutions are not allowed at VUMUN IX, and plagiarism will not be tolerated.

Q: What should I bring to Committee session?
A: Delegates should bring pens or pencils and paper to committee sessions, along with any printed information or research that they may have. In addition, delegates should always wear their VUMUN IX name tags and remember to bring their placards to committee sessions. As VUMUN staffers will type any working papers or draft resolutions, laptops are not necessary.

Q: Is attendance taken at Committees?
A: At the beginning of each Committee session, the chair or co-chair of the committee will take attendance. We will report all attendance results to the Undersecretary General of External Affairs who will then inform the faculty advisors of any absent delegates.

Q: Can faculty advisors attend committee sessions?
A: We welcome faculty advisors to attend committee sessions and watch their students debate. Faculty advisers are asked to not disrupt the committees’ agenda, but should feel free to observe the process of Model United Nations.

Q: When do students eat & will food be provided for free?
A: The agenda for the conference weekend schedules breaks around meal times. Delegates and faculty advisers should have plenty of time to find a place to eat lunch or dinner, especially given the number of inexpensive restaurants around Vanderbilt’s campus. Meals or meal stipends, however, will not be provided for delegates.

Q: How do students spend time outside committee?
A: Outside of committee sessions, students are expected to continue to act as delegates of VUMUN IX. This could mean continuing to work on working papers, draft resolutions, or simply reviewing their research prior to the next committee session. A break from debate comes Saturday night as the Delegate Dance is always a great way to have a break from a MUN-filled weekend.